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“Sydney said it was her boss’ house. She said he likes to have employees over for cookouts and games, and she thought this would be a chance for us to meet some new people. She said they are all very cool, and she thought we’d like them. I’m still wondering why I said yes, though.”

“How many people are supposed to be here?” Marlowe asked cautiously from the backseat.

“I didn’t ask,” Bridget admitted. She peered through the rearview mirror to catch her niece’s eye, sensing the young girl’s unease. “Okay, listen up. Here’s the plan.” Bridget waited for the kids to give her their attention. “If at any point, any of us is not having fun or are uncomfortable or ready to go home, we say the word, and we leave without any question or protest. Agreed?”

They all nodded, and Marlowe asked, “What’s the word?”

Bridget blinked. “What?”

“You said to say the word, so she wants to know what that is exactly. What do we say to cue each other we’re ready to leave without everyone suspecting we’re not having a good time,” Mathias explained, and Bridget nodded as understanding dawned.

“Headache,” Bridget replied with the first idea which popped into her head. “Whoever wants to leave complains of having a headache. Since we all came together, we can use it as a reason why we all leave. Everybody ready?”

They nodded, so she released the brake and allowed the car to coast up to the call box. But the gate suddenly swung open without her depressing the intercom button. She glanced at Mathias before driving through and following the driveway to the front of the house. Vehicles were staggered along the drive and even in the grass. Bridget parked her car in a spot along the drive she hoped wouldn’t be an inconvenience but would allow her an easy out if they left early.

They stepped from the car as a group. Mathias carried a glass container of homemade lemonade which he’d held securely in the floorboard between his legs while they traveled. She didn’t want to show up without bringing something, even though Sydney told her they had everything they needed.

Bridget moved like she was walking through molasses as she led their small group to the front door. She had no idea where her nervousness was coming from. Most of her life, she was the life of any party with no qualms about mingling with strangers until they felt like her long-lost best friends. But this felt different. During her party days, she was never concerned with making a good first impression. With Sydney and her crew, Bridget yearned for acceptance and for a new circle of friends in this strange town.

The door swung open, leaving Bridget with her fist hanging in the air in a failed attempt to knock. They were greeted by the tall redhead with the bright smile. Bridget noted Sydney’s willowy figure under her loose clothes and the freckles which dotted the light skin of her face. Her eyes were a dazzling blue, reflecting her smile and making Bridget’s nerves ease a little.

“I am so glad you’re here!” Sydney’s squeal had Bridget and the kids grinning in return. “Come in! You’re right on time. Food is on the grill, and the guys are getting some kind of game together. I made them wait until you got here in case you wanted to play.”

Another woman walked up to greet them, and Bridget was struck by how pretty she was. Shiny sable hair in a ponytail, dark eyes regarding them from behind a pair of round glasses, tall with a figure most women wished they had. She dried her hands on a dish towel as she approached them, her smile warm.

“Hi, guys. I’m Kat. Welcome to our house. Everybody else is outside. We’ll introduce them, but I have to warn you. There are a lot of us. Don’t worry about trying to remember everyone. They won’t be offended if you have to ask their names over and over. And don’t feel intimidated. They’re all easygoing and fun.”

At the mention of how many were outside, Marlowe shrank behind her brother, a move Bridget didn’t miss, though she decided not to call attention to it. “Thanks for having us. You’ve probably already figured out I’m Bridget. This is my niece and nephew, Marlowe and Mathias. I know you said we didn’t have to bring anything, but we brought some fresh lemonade anyway.”

“Perfect. Come on back and you can meet the rest of our crazy group.”

They followed Sydney and Kat through the kitchen, where Mathias set the lemonade on the counter, and stepped through glass doors into another world. A gorgeous patio with spots of colorful flowers, an outdoor pool, lush green lawn, and an atmosphere of relaxation made Bridget want to sit and stay for hours, doing nothing but taking in the peace. At the moment, there wasn’t quiet to go along with the peace, since people milled around on the lawn, gathered around the grill or sat with a beer, laughing and talking.

“Hey, everybody!” Kat called over the din, drawing everyone’s attention with the authority of someone used to corralling a large group. “Our guests are here, so you guys better behave. This is Bridget, Mathias, and Marlowe.”

A chorus of hellos and welcomes assailed them, and the small group presented tentative smiles and small waves. Sydney urged them further into the yard to mingle, and Bridget gave herself a pep talk to be bold and show her niece and nephew how easy it could be to make new friends.

The drop-dead gorgeous man who called to them flashed a friendly smile that made the task seem simpler. “Hi, guys. I’m Tristin, Kat’s husband. Hope you guys like hamburgers and hot dogs because we have plenty. But if you don’t, tell me what you like, and I’ll add it to the grill.”

“Burgers are fine. It’s nice to meet you,” Bridget said as she led the kids over to a nearby patio table to sit down. She settled beside a beautiful blonde and a young girl who seemed close to Mathias’ age. She smiled as she introduced herself and was met with an equally friendly welcome.

“Hi, Bridget. I’m Payton, and this is my daughter Davi. Welcome to our group. I’ve heard so much about you from Syd. She said you guys saved her from being stranded on the side of the road.”

“Well, it was more Marlowe and Mathias. Marlowe has a knack for mechanical stuff, and Mathias is her tall assistant who can reach into places she can’t.”

“Wait! Did you sayshefixed the car?” Davi leaned in closer, her lovely face animated as she glanced repeatedly from Bridget to Marlowe. “That is amazing. And your name is Marlowe? That’s a cool name, too. Do you think you could show me how to fix cars?”

Marlowe flushed, looking at Bridget like a drowning victim in need of a flotation device. She lowered her gaze to her hands shyly, as she often did when someone complimented what came naturally to her.

“I don’t know,” she mumbled. “I’m not sure I can show someone how to do it. But I have books that tell you how to fix almost anything.”

“When it comes to anything with an engine or battery, Marlowe is better than most. She’s in the STEM program at Johnson Rainier,” Bridget added.

Payton blinked. “Oh. I didn’t realize you were both old enough to be in high school.” Her eyes encompassed both Marlowe and Mathias.

“Marlowe is younger, but she skipped a grade to start high school early. Mathias is a junior.”

“That explains why I haven’t seen either of you at school,” Davi said. “All of the accelerated kids take all the same classes together, and the juniors and seniors are in a different part of the school from where the sophomores and freshmen are. I’m a sophomore.”